Scoping It Out

Area football fans were treated to some exciting state playoff contests on Saturday.

When the final whistle sounded two of the three area schools still alive now find themselves advancing to the state championship game in their respective divisions.

It proved to be the end of the line for the Williston Coyotes falling to the powerful Bismarck Demons in the AAA ranks.

Meanwhile, Watford City gave their veteran coach Fred Fridley another opportunity to win a state title in the AA ranks as the Wolves defeated Devils Lake on their home turf.

The Williams County Firestorm kept things alive as they rolled to a win over St. John in the 9-man ranks and will now be involved in a state championship clash.

PATRIOTIC CONCERT BIG HIT AT HARMON PARK

Direct from a consecutive run of 100 performances Job Christenson presented an excellent concert in Williston on Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Virgil Syverson Performance Center.

This concert served as an inspirational and patriotic evening with Christenson delivering some great sounds.

If you had a chance to hear him in Medora you will no doubt agree he is a fantastic talent.

This special event, co-promoted by Scope Productions and Jack & Jewel’s Bar-B-Que, proved to attract a great crowd.

It all started with a great Jack & Jewel’s Bar-B-Que.

A special performance from the Williston Cowboys Drum & Bugle Corps got things off on a patriotic note.

Christenson was joined by Joel Gilbertson, who has connections to Williston, dating back to when his father Dr. Roy Gilbertson served as a pastor at First Lutheran Church.

Gilbertson has been playing the piano for more than 40 years and added to the excitement.

SCOPING IT OUT GUEST

Jim Oliver, a veteran newsman who was on the scene for two major national events, was our Sept. 12 guest on “Scoping It Out.”.

His encounters included being very near the plane crash near the Pennsylvania community during 9/11 and the site of the trapped coal miners.

Set your dial for News Radio KEYZ 660 AM each Friday to learn more.

BRENT QVALE TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT NEBRASKA NEXT FALL

Scoping it Out has learned Williston’s Brent Qvale has made a verbal commitment to play football as a lineman for the University of Nebraska program.

Qvale will now complete his senior season in a Coyote uniform before moving on to suit up for the “Big Red” in the fall of 2009.

This proves to be a “gentleman’s” agreement, as Letters of Intent are officially signed in February.

This will give the Qvale (Carol and Sanford) family two Division I athletes.

Read more by clicking on previous entries at the bottom of this column.

Turn to Scoping it Out for further details.

No doubt grand parents Joan and George Amsden, are proud of Brian and Brent.

PHIL JACKSON IS HONORED AT UND

Another former Williston Coyote bounched back in the state headlines Monday as Phil Jackson received his Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of North Dakota.

During the Convocation, which was open to the public, Jackson was presented yet another honor.

The Convocation served as the official start of classes at UND, with some afternoon and evening class sessions beginning Monday.

Jackson also took time on Tuesday morning, to attend some classes, prior to him leaving Grand Forks.

We had an opportunity to chat with Jackson’s former coach Bob Peterson who planned to make the trek to the ceremony from his home in Bismarck.

Peterson had Jackson on the WHS roster as a sophomore and molded him into a force with the Coyotes winning the state title during his senior season.

During our weekly Scoping It Out feature on Friday on News Radio KEYZ 660 we had an opportunity to speak with Peter Johnson, director of UND relations, as we discussed the ceremony.

FINAL LEG OF HWY. 2 SET OPENED ON MONDAY

On Monday the final stretch of Hwy. 2 was opened for traffic, thus accomplishing the goal of “Across The State in 2008.”

We send out a Scope Salute to the likes of Gary Sukut and Brad Bekkedahl, among others who got it done.

This is a major accomplishment for this part of the state and is most welcome.

CAPT. ROBERT STANCEL WRAPS UP LAW CAREER

An Open House was held Wednesday at the Law Enforcement Center to honor long-time Williams County Chief Deputy Robert Stancel on his retirement from the law enforcement field.

We congratulate Stamcel for his 25 years of dedicated service.

Now he will have more time to cheer for the Green Bay Packers.

OLD SETTLERS DAYS ARE COMPLETE

The annual Old Settlers Days in Alexander are complete and plans are in the works for next year.

This is a grand event each year with key individuals being honored.

Vivian and Roy Winden were the honored couple this year.

TIOGA FARM FESTIVAL BATTLES WEATHER

The spotlight shifted to Tioga as the annual Tioga Farm Festival unfolded on Saturday.

The weekend was loaded with activities for everyone, including another parade, which came off despite the rainy weather.

The newly completed 4-Lane is wide open and that surface takes you directly to Tioga, the “Oil Capital” of North Dakota.

Technorati Profile

With the summer sporting activities nearing an end, it’s time to begin thinking about what lies around the corner.

A number of Coyotes have been prominent in the news these days and we’ll pass along some of those details as they unfold.

Brent Qvale, about to begin his senior season in a Coyote football uniform, is among the top recruits being sought to fill out grid rosters for major Division I colleges.

As of this report we have learned Qvale has given a verbal commitment to play for Division I University of Nebraska in the fall of 2009.

Over the summer Qvale, along with his parents Sanford and Carol, took to the road and made a trip to grid camps at Nebraska, Iowa State and Wisconsin, while a planned stop at the University of Iowa was flooded out.

Standing in at 6-7 and 300 pounds, Qvale is being touted as a key recruit by several major programs.

Qvale has been spending the needed time in the weight room as he prepares for the upcoming prep season with the home opener slated against the Eagles of Sidney, Mont.

MORE FAMILY ROAD TIME

With word confirmed that Qvale will be lending his talent to the “Big Red” football program, this will give Carol and Sanford Qvale two Division I athletes to follow.

Brent’s older brother Brian, standing in at 6-11, returns to the University of Montana where he begins his sophomore season with the Grizzlies.

We’ll keep an eye on these young man and pass along details as they become available.

With Brent verbally committing to play football in Nebraska, that means Carol and Sanford will be logging additional miles.

Brian was a major recruit in the sport of basketball, with the family going through the same routine with Brent.

HENNESSY AT MONTANA STATE

At the same time we can’t forget about former Coyote and WSC Teton James Hennessy who returns to the lineup of the men’s basketball program at Montana State University.

It will be fun to see the former Coyotes Qvale and Hennessy clash on the Division I level.

JANGULA AND BONDY

Williston product and college fullback Tyler Jangula, should have a major impact in the plans at North Dakota State University this fall as the Bison have been tabbed to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference crown.
The Bison picked up 289 points and 13 first-place votes from coaches, media and sports information directors, in a recent poll.

Meanwhile we can tell you former Coyote Kyle Bondy is also expected to fill a key role as a lineman for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux as they make the swing to the Division I level.

It’s always fun to keep tabs on former Coyotes and area athletes.

You can click on the “Scope Links” of the college teams on our home page.

IHMELS AT IOWA STATE

Another website you will want to click on the “Scope Links” is Iowa State University with former Coyote standout Corey Ihmels heading up the track and cross country programs.

At the same time Jory Zunich is a member of the ISU men’s cross country program.

We will attempt to pass on details on this program as well.

RICHTER TO PLAY BASEBALL AT JAMESTOWN

After a successful career on the baseball diamond, along with tending to business in the classroom, Williston athlete Doug Richter has inked a pact to further his baseball career at Jamestown College.

A key member of the state Class A baseball champions, Richer earned All-West Region honors in baseball and was honorable mention in football last season for the Coyotes.

He hit .384 with three home runs in wood-bat play during the spring while in his role as the team’s catcher.

Tom Hager, head coach of the Jimmies, was quoted as saying, “Doug is a quality individual and we are very happy that he has chosen to be a part of the Jimmie tradition here at Jamestown College.”

He went on to say, “He has experienced success both on the field and in the classroom, and we expect that he will be a great addition to the Jimmie baseball program.”

Richter is the son of Debbie and Dave Richter of Williston.

CAGE COACHING CHANGE

With the Williston High School athletic programs already seeking a number of coaches to fill positions word was released Wednesday that Cody Austreim has tendered her resignation effective immediately as the head girls basketball coach at Williston High School.

However, she will retain her teaching position as she pursues her Masters degree.

SCOPING IT OUT ON KEYZ 660

Earlier we were able to provide a live report regarding the Minnesota Vikings just prior to the pre-season opener against the Seattle Seahawk during our weekly “Scoping It Out” segment on News Radio KEYZ 660.

Keep an ear to 660 as we will try to add reports from the Vikings in the near future.

We had the pleasure of attending college in Mankato, many years ago, while making numerous visits to the Vikings’ camp to check out the action, along with covering the Vikes for numerous seasons.

Stay tuned.

VIKES TO TANGLE WITH PACKERS

It’s time to get your recliners in position once again.

Believe it or not, the Minnesota Vikings are ready to open the regular season with play Monday Night against Green Bay.

A total of four pre-season clashes are now behind them and it’s time for real action on the gridiron.